Max Verstappen’s 2023 contract was “agreed fairly quickly”

Max Verstappen’s co-manager, Raymond Vermeulen, has said that his new contract to drive for Aston Martin Red Bull Racing until the end of 2023 was “agreed fairly quickly”, feeling there is unfinished business with the team and Honda.

By the time Verstappen’s new contract with Red Bull finishes in 2023 the Dutchman will have been a part of the team for eight years after stepping up from Toro Rosso during the 2016 season.
 
That decision was one made quickly by the 22-year old, his father Jos who also manages him, and Vermeulen after contract talks initially started during the Brazilian Grand Prix.
 
“Max, Jos and I agreed fairly quickly that this was the best choice,” said Vermeulen to Dutch publication Formule 1.

“We had the first non-committal conversation over dinner with Helmut (Marko) in Brazil.

“Then it was a process. We held several internal discussions with each other about the short, medium and long-term vision.”

A big part of the decision to remain at Red Bull was down to Honda’s rate of development the past couple of years in providing a power unit good enough to challenge Mercedes and Ferrari.

Verstappen’s camp believe that the Japanese manufacturer and the car Red Bull can provide will help him win a World Championship.

“We have every confidence about Honda’s development,” Vermeulen added.

“We think we have unfinished business with Red Bull and Honda. Red Bull helped us get into Formula 1 and we also have a fantastic commercial partnership, but the most important thing is to win.

“Max also feels like a fish in water with the team.”